Narrative dimensions of philosophy : a semiotic exploration in the work of Merleau-Ponty, Kierkegaard, and Austin

Sky Marsen proposes a new way of reading philosophy, through the lens of narrative semiotics she highlights the similarities between creative and philosophical writing and shows how theoretical texts, such as philosophy, rely to a large extent on strategies of communication present also in fictional narratives. As pattern seeking creatures, humans use story-telling techniques to create and communicate beliefs, thoughts and ideas about the world, personal identity and reality. In evolved and complex social contexts, These beliefs, thoughts and ideas have taken the form of philosophical texts, which construct elaborate and systematic theories, principles and arguments. The question that arises is: do such conceptually sophisticated texts also exhibit, on some level, the prototypical story-telling patterns found in myths and fairy tales? This book explores this question, using concepts from semiotics and narratology. The book has two main objectives: first, to outline and illustrate a new semiotic technique for analyzing complex non-fictional texts, such as philosophy. Second, to use this technique in presenting and discussing three major full-length works by influential philosophers Maurice Merleau-Ponty, S̜ren Kierkegaard and John Austin. Bridging the gap between literary analysis and philosophical investigation, the book examines the ways in which these philosophers' conceptualizations of reality, self and action are formed through narrative strategy This Book Has Two Main Objectives: First, To Outline And Illustrate A New Semiotic Technique For Analysing Complex Non-fictional Texts, Such As Philosophy. Second, To Use This Technique In Presenting And Discussing Three Major Full-length Works By Influential Philosophers Maurice Merleau-ponty, Soren Kierkegaard And John Austin. Bridging The Gap Between Literary Analysis And Philosophical Investigation, The Book Examines The Ways In Which These Philosophers' Conceptualizations Of Reality, Self And Action Are Formed Through Narrative Strategy.--jacket. Language, Knowledge And Reality -- The Narrative Framework -- Textual Dimensions And Narrator Roles -- The Meaning In Existence : Freedom Through Action In Merleau-ponty's World -- Presupposed Worlds -- The Return Of The Hero : Embodied Identity In Kierkegaard's World -- The Winner's Game : Out And About In Austin's World. Sky Marsen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 178-189) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-x Language, Knowledge and Reality....Pages 1-22 The Narrative Framework....Pages 23-59 Textual Dimensions and Narrator Roles....Pages 60-94 The Meaning in Existence: Freedom through Action in Merleau-Ponty’s World....Pages 95-122 Presupposed Worlds....Pages 123-142 The Return of the Hero: Embodied Identity in Kierkegaard’s World....Pages 143-162 The Winner’s Game: Out and About in Austin’s World....Pages 163-177 Back Matter....Pages 178-192 That knowledge about the world and self is imparted through narrative is widely accepted; the techniques used to construct this knowledge have received less attention. This book uses a semiotic methodology to analyze works by Merleau-Ponty, Kierkegaard and Austin, and explore how conceptualizations of reality are formed through narrative strategy.